Real Madrid and the European Super League’s promoter, A22 Sports Management, are preparing a massive legal claim against the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), seeking more than $4 billion in damages following a key court ruling that found UEFA had abused its dominant position in blocking the breakaway competition.
According to multiple reports from Reuters, AS, and Sky Sports, the Madrid Provincial Court dismissed UEFA’s appeal on Monday, reaffirming that the governing body and FIFA violated European competition law when they sanctioned clubs involved in the attempted launch of the European Super League in 2021.
“The ruling opens the way for Real Madrid to claim the substantial damages suffered by the club,” a source close to the case told Spanish outlet AS, adding that the claim could total as much as €4.5 billion (approximately $4.8 billion).
The Super League was unveiled in April 2021 as a rival to UEFA’s Champions League but quickly collapsed after public backlash and the withdrawal of several founding clubs. Only Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus initially refused to abandon the project, although Juventus later stepped back from legal proceedings.
UEFA, in its response, stated that the court’s decision “does not validate the abandoned Super League project” and emphasized that its new competition authorization rules, adopted in 2022 and revised in 2024, continue to comply with EU regulations.
“UEFA remains committed to protecting the European football pyramid, ensuring solidarity, and safeguarding fair competition,” the organization said in a statement to Sky Sports.
Legal analysts say the ruling and subsequent damages claim could reshape the financial and governance landscape of European football. If successful, it would mark one of the most significant monetary awards ever sought in sports litigation.
The case follows a 2023 ruling by the European Court of Justice (CJEU), which determined that UEFA and FIFA’s actions to block the Super League breached EU competition law. The latest Spanish court decision reinforces that position, allowing affected clubs to pursue compensation.
While Real Madrid has not disclosed when it intends to file the formal damages suit, insiders suggest the process could extend into 2026, with potential negotiations or appeals along the way.
“This is about accountability and fairness in football governance,” said an A22 spokesperson. “The Super League was never given a fair chance under the current system.”
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